5 things you probably didn't know about Mariz Umali

For 17 years, GMA News anchor Mariz Umali has been a constant figure in our television screens, reporting on hard-hitting news and real-time events.

But now, she is ready to show her “cool” side as the newest member of the “Unang Hirit” barkada.

Here are five things you probably didn't know about the new morning show host.

RELATED: Mariz Umali gets warm welcome from new ‘Unang Hirit’ family

1. Mariz originally wanted to be a doctor

She actually studied Pharmacy at the University of the Philippines (UP) Manila before shifting to Broadcast Communication at UP Diliman.

Fun fact: Mariz could not forget her mom's anecdote when she was three or four years old. They were watching the news when little Mariz pointed at the newscaster on TV and said, “Gusto kong maging ganiyan.”

2. Mariz’s first news break was in 2001

Mariz started her career in News as a hard-hitting reporter.

“Seventeen years of pagiging reporter, bulk of my work has been police beat and political. Hindi ako natakot eh. Kahit na baguhan ako." she said.

Her first break in live coverage came in 2001. She was on her way to PAG-ASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Service Administration) to cover a press conference when she was advised by her producers that she was going to go on air in a few minutes.

“Sinabi sa akin, mag-ready ka na, magla-live ka. Grabe, bigla akong nanginig,” she recalled. “Akala ko magwa-wrap up lang ako for another reporter. Pero biglang ako na pala ‘yung magbibigay ng live report.” Despite being a bundle of nerves, Mariz did well on her first live stint as reporter.

“Siyempre, very fulfilled ako! Dati napapanood ko lang ang mga reporter, tapos biglang ako na ‘yung nandoon.”

Even after years of covering hard news and doing live reports, Mariz admitted that she still gets the jitters before going on-cam.

“Lalo na kapag live report, tapos biglang magpapa-quiz (mag-o-on-the-spot question) si Ma’am Jessica (Soho) sa amin. Nakakakaba.”

3. Mariz is a certified adrenaline-junkie

“Ever since naman, adventurous ako. Sa work mismo, ready ako for anything.” Mariz proudly said. “I remember when I first started as a reporter, I went to Mindanao when the story about the Abu Sayyaf and military was big.”

Of course, her mother would always worry. “Sabi ko sa kanya, ‘Ma, gusto ko itong ginagawa ko. Hangga’t nakikita mo pa ako sa TV, ibig sabihin safe ako.’”

Other things ticked off her bucket list were: scuba diving, paragliding, and skydiving.

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I feel so blessed and grateful to be checking off a lot of things from our bucketlist with you mahal @raffytima!!! ?? This trip has been so amazing seeing the Aurora Borealis first in Iceland and now the skydive here in Dubai!!! You were awesome too, @amihansabillo!!! Thank you for conquering your fears and for doing this with us. #ThankYouLord #TeamAurora2018 #FlyHighInDubai #skydivedubai @ponyang02 @auroramendoza @rreneerr Shirley Kayla

A post shared by marizumali (@marizumali) on

Oct 15, 2018 at 1:28am PDT

“Actually wala na akong ibang gustong gawin na extreme sport, as of now, game naman ako for anything… basta huwag lang bungee jumping,” she revealed.

4. Mariz can sing and dance

Thanks to her mom, she fell in love with dancing at a young age.

“Kasi summer noon, so ayaw niya na wala lang kaming ginagawa sa bahay kaya pinasok niya kami ng mga kapatid ko sa mga summer class.Inenroll kami sa ballet and jazz dance classes.”

Aside from dancing, she can also carry a tune: “Pinasok kasi kami noon sa choir ng church. ‘Yun ‘yung naging initial background namin sa pagkanta hanggang sa pinasok na rin kami sa voice lessons ng mother ko,” she said.

Netizens are also always in for a treat from the #MarFy couple as they love to upload videos of them singing — "carpool karaoke" style.

5. The beginning of #MarFy’s happily ever after

The couple tied the knot in 2012, but they have been reporting alongside each other as friends since 2001.

However, it was during fellow "Unang Hirit" host Rhea Santos' 30th birthday party when things changed.

"Sa birthday ni Rhea, na-discover ni Pia (Arcangel) na may gusto si Raffy sa akin.” Mariz recalled, “sumasayaw ako noon, tapos nahuli ni Pia si Raffy na nakatingin sa akin. Doon na siya umamin.”

When asked what it was like having two newscasters in the household, Mariz said, “wala, ang almusal lang namin, pinag-uusapan namin ang mga presyo ng bilihin.” she  quipped. Eventually, she also admitted that they would often discuss the most important issues of the day.

“Siyempre, that’s what we eat every day, that’s what we breathe every day. It’s the news that keeps us alive.” — LA, GMA News